In brief: Glenn honored for historic flight

COLUMBUS, Ohio – John Glenn made his historic spaceflight alone in 1962 but celebrated its 50th anniversary Monday among hundreds of people, from fellow headline-making astronauts and NASA’s administrator to family, friends and students at Ohio State University.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, told the audience at the celebratory gala that Glenn was “no ordinary pilot.” There was a need for leadership in the space program in the early 1960s, Armstrong said, and Glenn “literally rose to the occasion.”

Earlier Monday, NASA had surprised Glenn, 90, by enabling him to speak live with the International Space Station from a stage at Ohio State University.

Southern Baptists may add to name

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A panel for the Southern Baptist Convention recommended Monday that its leadership approve a new, add-on description for the denomination – “Great Commission Baptists” – but stopped short of a complete name change.

The Rev. Bryant Wright, president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, has said he is concerned that the “Southern” name is too regional and hinders the evangelistic faith’s effort to expand beyond the South.

The panel rejected a complete name change, citing the legal costs and difficulties. They also noted the positive associations many hold with the Southern Baptist name, such as its well-regarded disaster relief organization.

Judge tosses part of immigrant law

OMAHA, Neb. – A federal judge on Monday rejected a portion of a Nebraska city’s ordinance that would have denied housing permits to illegal immigrants but upheld a requirement that employers verify the citizenship status of people they hire.

U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith Camp found some of the housing provisions in Fremont’s ordinance, approved by voters in 2010, are discriminatory in violation of federal law.

Both sides in the immigration debate claimed victory after the ruling, which stemmed from a combined lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.